Spyder’s one of those strange companies that has a great reputation, a distribution network that spans the coasts, and yet can’t be found anywhere. Their web site lists numerous brick and mortar retailers, but stepping into the majority of these outlets leaves one viewing the smallest sampling from the Spyder catalogue one can imagine. Sure, every once in awhile you’ll come across a store that has clothing from all of Spyder’s lines, but these are few in number. Even online retailers that stock multiple Spyder lines have little stock and a small selection of model colors and sizes. And, you can’t buy from Spyder directly.
What’s more frustrating (and this goes for companies other than Spyder too) is that manufacturers of ski clothing, and most other outdoor clothing for that matter, have little if any flexibility in their sizing. I recognize that it’s a luxury to expect a company to have “long” and “short” variants for all their sizes, but it’s another to expect some variation in waist and inseam sizes. According to Spyder and its ilk, everyone who’s thin is short, and everyone tall is a fatty. That’s ridiculous.
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I ought add that in the San Francisco Bay area (and by this I refer to the peninsula), Lombardi Sports stocks the largest selection of Spyder gear. Sadly, however, their customer service is horrible. I shall illustrate this with the following examples:
1) When asked a question about Spyder sizing, a salesperson made an answer up, and quoted it as truth. Proof that salespeople at brick and mortar stores know nothing about the products they sell.
2) After calling in to ask a question, an employee patched me in to their ski department. When asked if they could check to see if a particular size and color combination for a model was in stock, the salesperson declined, saying they were too busy and I should call back. I have been in the store; the rack with Spyder clothing is not 10 yards from the phone.
3) The Lombardi Sports web site doesn’t work, and redirects back to the main page. It’s poorly designed, much like the customer service itself.
I prefer to support local family-owned businesses when I can, but Lombardi Sports has sorely disappointed me. At this point, I can order the exact thing I want from an online retailer in less the time it takes for me to call them again to see if what I want is in stock. Nice work losing a sale, Lombardi.
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